I am a Chatsworth homeowner and proud parent of a 2nd-grader at our wonderful elementary school, Chatsworth Park Urban Planning Magnet. When I found out there was a proposed supportive housing development close to my daughters’ school, the first thing I did was ask her what she thought. Without trying to lead her to any answer, she said, “I don’t like it, I love it!” She’s always had a soft spot for people who are vulnerable, in this case people who do not have a stable home.

She’s asked what people do when they don’t have a home, and it makes her sad. I’ve talked with her about the harsh realities of sleeping outside, being vulnerable to catching a cold or chronic illness, not having access to a bathroom, to name a few. Her father usually is the one who has cash and he will always give a dollar to someone who needs it. It’s clearly rubbed off on our daughter, who has become incredibly empathetic and loving to all those around her. And from the rhetoric surrounding this housing proposal, it seems we all could learn a lot from my daughter.

When I told her there was going to be a protest of the proposed Topanga Apartments, she wanted to get up early (and she’s not a morning person) so she could make a sign and be there to support. Her message? “Homeless need homes — Let’s Do It!” With her school becoming an Urban Planning Magnet, it seemed like an opportunity to learn about a piece of urban planning in action. What we found was a lot of misinformation, fear and anger.

This is not a shelter; it is supportive housing that provides wraparound services to residents with full-time case managers to help with job training and placement, healthcare, mental health and substance abuse treatment. People who live in supportive housing include children, families, elderly folks, veterans, people with disabilities and people with very limited income. How this can be seen as worse than our current situation of leaving people in our neighborhoods unsheltered and without support to get on their feet, escapes me, and my daughter.

I understood the initial fears other parents had, and I certainly wanted assurances for our kids’ safety. So, I called the developer and relevant city departments directly to get more details. I deploy volunteers to disaster areas by day, so this issue is new to me, and in the last month plus I’ve learned a lot. I also care deeply and have worked for social and economic justice for nearly 20 years. I feel assured knowing that both the developer and the city will do background checks on residents to ensure no one with violent histories will be placed at the housing development.

The Topanga Apartments will have on-site, 24/7, a property manager and security, with clear protocols and buildings rules to manage who comes and goes. In reality, these are much higher safety assurances than we all have now with our neighbors. My neighbors aren’t background-checked before they move in next to me. Also, I guarantee we all live near neighbors who have mental health challenges and substance abuse issues. But these residents will receive the adequate support and services they need. The bottom line is that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home and this is a model that works — I’ve learned that there are hundreds of buildings like this one across the city, and most people have no idea.

Permanent supportive housing improves neighborhoods and moves people out of homelessness successfully. We don’t have to speculate or wring our hands about what might happen; we have successful examples all over the Los Angeles area, including Winnetka Village and The Fiesta in North Hollywood.

We are the only City Council district in the city that hasn’t approved even one housing development for people experiencing homelessness, and it’s time we are part of the solution. With Topanga Apartments, we have an opportunity to create a community based on caring for each other and a proven effective solution to address a real crisis in our neighborhood. If you would like to learn more or support this solution, please visit www.WestValleyHomesYES.site and www.EveryoneInLA.org.

Pilar Schiavo is passionate about social, economic and healthcare justice and has worked as a community and political organizer for nearly 20 years.

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